Now, movement is via the WASD keys and direction is via the mouse much like a standard first- or third-person action game, with the cursor keys to adjust the angle.

In the past you simply moved your worm into position, used one control to alter elevation and another to control trajectory. This highlights one of the other major changes from the 2D predecessors - the controls. Using that view, you target the next worm and either watch the destruction unfold (in the case of the air strike) or return to third-person view to then launch your missile. The air strike and homing missile are dependent on a new camera view - blimp view - which gives you a top-down perspective that uncovers where the enemy are hiding. There are also a few new entries, including gas grenades and the nuclear attack. You've also got your air strike, jet pack, ninja rope and homing missile, plus a few other 'hidden' specials that only get revealed after certain missions are completed. Standard stalwarts like the bazooka, grenade, cluster bomb, exploding sheep, Uzi and banana bomb are still there but out goes the much loved flame-thrower. In case you've been in a cave for the last 30 years (or outside of Europe - the franchise never did enjoy the same immense success it garnered east of the Atlantic), the principle of the game is to arm your team of worms with any one of a range of often bizarre weapons and take turns to shoot at the opposing wrigglies until they're hammered into oblivion. Purists will complain anyway but, hey, we're in the 21st century now guys - moving on is what it's all about. A few old favourites have gone, several innovations have come in and new gameplay skills will have to be learnt to accommodate the new 3D perspective.

Well, the good news is that Team17 spent six years trying to get it right and on the whole, they've managed to pull it off. Would this be the equivalent of re-making 'Casablanca', in colour, with Jim Carey in the Humphrey Bogart role? When Sega first announced that they were going to release a 3D version of everyone's favourite comic-look turn-based destruction game, a fearful howl was heard round the globe.

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